Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).  

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepened Thursday, with warnings people are at risk of starvation, as Israel continues airstrikes and withholds essential supplies from the enclave. It is completely under sieged and occupying forces have cut electricity, water, food fuel and medicines. 

More than 2 million Palestinians – including over a million children – live in the Gaza Strip, an area that has been under a land, sea and air blockade enforced by Israel since 2007.

At least 1,417 people have been killed in Gaza, including 447 children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, as Israeli air strikes continue to pummel the densely populated strip, decimating buildings, reducing entire streets to rubble and trapping residents. More than 6,000 have been wounded, the ministry added.

Israel’s Energy Minister Israel Katz said supplies would remain cut off until hostages being held by Hamas are freed. “No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened, and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home. Humanitarian for humanitarian. And no one will preach us morals,” Katz said on social media.

In a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv on Thursday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas should be “crushed” and “spat out from the community of nations.”

The UN warned on Thursday that withholding essential supplies will “precipitate a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where its population is now at inescapable risk of starvation.” Food and water are “quickly running out,” the deputy head of emergencies of the UN World Food Program, Brian Lander, said Thursday. More than 330,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, according to a statement by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) early Thursday. Hospitals are expected to run out of fuel on Thursday, leading to “catastrophic” conditions, the Palestinian Health Ministry warned. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned on Thursday that hospitals in the enclave “risk turning into morgues” following Israel’s siege.

“There are body parts scattered everywhere. There are still people missing,” one man in the northern neighborhood of Al-Karama said. “We’re still looking for our brothers, our children. It’s like we’re stuck living in a nightmare.”

Israel has massed some 300,000 reservists near the Gaza border, according to the Israel Defence Force (IDF), a huge mobilization given the country’s 9 million population. On Thursday, the IDF said it was continuing “large scale strikes in the Gaza strip,” as speculation of a possible ground incursion into Gaza grows. “We have sent our infantry, armored soldiers, our artillery corps and many other soldiers from the reserves. 300,000 in numbers in different brigades,” Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Wednesday. “They are now close to the Gaza Strip, getting ready to execute the mission that they have been given,” he added.

The Creation and Expansion of Israel: A Complex History

The creation and expansion of Israel have been one of the most contentious and intricate chapters in the history of the Middle East. Rooted in ancient history and propelled by geopolitical dynamics, the establishment of Israel in 1948 fundamentally altered the dynamics of the region, leading to conflicts, territorial disputes, and political tensions that continue to shape the world today.

The Balfour Declaration and the Creation of Israel

The origins of modern Israel can be traced back to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, in which the British government expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This declaration laid the groundwork for the eventual creation of Israel, amid a predominantly Muslim population.

1948: The War of Independence and Expansion

In 1948, the State of Israel was officially established, leading to a war with neighbouring Arab states. The population of Jews in Israel before its creation was approximately 600,000. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Israel expanded its territory, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

1967: The Six-Day War and Territorial Expansion

In 1967, Israel fought the Six-Day War against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. This conflict resulted in Israel occupying the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The Jewish population had increased significantly by this time due to immigration, reaching around 2.6 million.

1973 and Onwards: Conflicts and Continued Expansion

The Yom Kippur War of 1973 posed a significant challenge to Israel as it faced coordinated attacks from Egypt and Syria. The conflict led to territorial adjustments but did not halt Israel's expansionist policies. Settlements continued to be established in the occupied territories, leading to ongoing tensions with the Arab world.

Population and Territorial Changes Over Time

At the time of its creation in 1948, Israel covered an area of approximately 20,770 square kilometers with a population of around 800,000. By 1967, following the Six-Day War, Israel's territory had expanded to approximately 88,000 square kilometers. The population had also grown to about 2.7 million, with a significant influx of Jewish immigrants.

In the subsequent decades, Israel's population continued to grow due to immigration and natural growth. As of today, Israel's population stands at over 9 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the region. The territorial boundaries, however, remain a topic of intense international debate, with ongoing conflicts and peace negotiations shaping the future of the region.

The creation and expansion of Israel have been marked by complex historical, political, and social factors. The conflicts and territorial changes over the years have had a profound impact on the people living in the region. Understanding this multifaceted history is essential for fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and finding a resolution to the long-standing issues that continue to define the Middle East today.

Israel has been pushing Arabs out of their territories and settling Jews on their land. For almost Seven Decades, Israel has made Arabs life a miserable, they invade any Arab Land any time, kill Arabs, Detain them, Torture them, Kidnaped them, Raped them, looted their properties and belongings ruthlessly. Israeli Security forces were encouraged and empowered with Draconian laws and licensed to kill, torture, detain, rape and loot. Practically, Palestine, especially Gaza was under siege and they were living in a cage, with no freedom at all. They were ling a slavery life, dependent on the mercy of Israeli occupational forces. There was no single family in Gaza, which was not victim of Israeli brutalities. Some families have lost their son, or daughter, while others have lost brother or sisters. Some families lost husband or wife. Almost all families were victim of occupational forces and victim of Israeli atrocities. Israel has surpassed all records of human right violation in the history of human kind. 

After the Israeli cruelties surpassed all limits and the residents of Gaza concluded that death is ultimate destiny for them by Israeli Security forces, only then, a severe reaction came from them. They have decided to die, but after taking revenge from aggressor.

 Diplomacy and global initiatives

Upon the request of Brazil UNSC has held meeting to discuss the issue, but, the backer of Israel led by the US, the UNSC failed to reach any conclusion. In fact, the UNSC has passed several resolution on the settlement of Palestine-Israel issue, but, Israel is defaulter and never implement the UNSC resolution. 

The World is visible divided, only the US and its close allies are supporting the Israel, but, majority, seeks a just peaceful solution to the issue. China and Russia wants a sustainable solution and wanted to stop bloodshed. Europe is also divided, as the public opinion is pro-peace, while Governments under US influence are endorsing American stance merely. OIC and Muslim world is upset with Israeli aggressiveness, but, is helpless too. 

Few countries are offering mediator role, and Turkey is one of them. While China is the only country which has capabilities to play positive role. China maintains close contact with both sides and have some influence on both sides. Furthermore, China has experience in settling disputes amicably and overcoming the differences. Recently, China facilitated the restoration of Iran-Saudi ties, a mega achievement of Diplomacy. In recent past, China regained sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao, was an exemplary practice of peaceful resolution of international affairs. Chinese wisdom and mediation skills are admired. China has will, wisdom, and capabilities, should be encouraged to play a positive role. China believes in peace, and promotes peace globally. Chinese Global Initiatives are aimed to resolve the crisis and confrontations globally and extend its experience, traditional wisdom and fruits of its developments with the rest of the world. It has emerged a significant global power and understands its global responsibilities. 

American role in the Israel-Palestine Conflict was biased and one sided only. While Russia is engaged in Ukraine. It is only China, who can contribute in resolving the long pending dispute. 

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)